Medical examining table



April 29', 1958 c. F. PERRY 2,832,656

MEDICAL EXAMINING TABLE Filed Oct. 1, 1957 IN VEN TOR;

Cecil Eperr'y BY vI United States Patent MEDICAL EXAMINING TABLE Cecil F. Perry, Portland, Greg.-

Application October 1, 1957, Serial N 0. 687,472

6 Claims. (Cl. 311-4) This invention relates to medical examining equipment, and more particularly to an improved medical examining table such as is used in medical offices in diagnosing and conducting preliminary examinations of patients.

Medical examining tables conventionally have a table surface mounted on a suitable frame for supporting the patient during examination. The table surface includes a section which is pivotable relative to the frame enabling the section to be adjustably positioned between raised and lowered positions so as to vary the posture of the patient resting on the table. The medical examining table of this invention is characterized by a novel construction for locking the pivoting table section in different positions of adjustment, which is releasable to permit easy and accurate adjustment of the table height.

In general terms, this invention contemplates the inclusion of an hydraulic positioning means which is set in a locked state or released by turning a valve in the hydraulic circuit for the positioning means. The hydraulic positioning means comprises a piston pump interposed between the frame and the pivoting table section and pivotally connected to the two. When the pivoting table section is raised to an adjusted position, the pump is actuated so that a column of fiuid is drawn up into one end of the piston bore accommodating the piston for the pump. A control valve in the fluid supply line to the pump when closed retains this column of fluid in the piston bore and locks the pivoting table section in a raised position.

The fluid which is drawn up into one end of the piston bore to support the piston in the bore is stored in the other end of the piston bore, and flows from this other end through suitable conduit means to the first mentioned end of the bore. This conduit means includes flexible hose connections and the control valve regulating the supply, and exhaust at the end of the piston bore. In a preferred embodiment, a check valve is included accommodating unidirectional flow of fluid into the one end of the piston bore. This enables the pivoting table section to be raised without the manipulation of a valve.

The hydraulic positioning means permits fast and accurate table settings between an infinite number of positions. A negligible amount of friction exists between the parts so that the pivoting table section may be raised smoothly and evenly with very little agitation of a patient resting on the table. The table is readily lowered without first having to raise the patient simply by adjusting the control valve so as to permit exhaust of fluid from the one end of the piston bore.

The invention further features a novel mounting for the piston pump. The housing or cylinder for the piston pump is 'pivoted at at upper end to a portion of the frame for the examining table which lies closely adjacent the pivoting table section when the pivoting section is in its lowered position. In the usual instance, the frame for the table'includes a cover'surface which extends beneath the pivoting table section, and the piston pump extends .i cc

through this cover surface. The pivot connection for the pump cylinder reduces the clearance which must be provided in the cover surface to enable the piston to swing freely as the table is raised and lowered. This results in reduced cleaning problems, an important factor in medical otfices.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the invention is described in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an examining table constructed according to an embodiment of this invention, the table having a pivotable table section shown in dotted lines in its raised position and in solid lines in its lowered position;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the examining table showing the pivotable table section in a lowered position;

Fig. 3 is a section view, with parts broken away, along the line 3 -3 in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a section view along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings for a description of an embodiment of this invention, the medical examining table is indicated generally at 10. The table shown is comprised of a generally rectangular frame 12 comprised of side walls 14 and 16 supporting table sections or portions 18 and 20 carried at the top end of the table. Table sections 18 and 20 constitute a table means for supporting a patient. The table sections are upholstered for comfort with padding 22, 24 laid over rigid sheets 26, 2S. Padding 22 for table section 18 has a built-up portion which serves as a head rest. Section 18 is pivotable relative to the frame of the table, between raised and lowered positions. In the construction shown, hinges such as hinge 3t hinge connect pivoting table section 18 to table section 20 which is fixed in position.

If desired, the front portion of the table may be provided with shelves under fixed table section 20. In the embodiment illustrated, for simplicity, a straight wall is shown. The table frame also includes under pivoting section 18 and section 20 a cover 32 which extends over the top of the table underneath the table sections. The cover is provided to keep dirt and foreign matter from falling into the interior of the table frame and for reasons of eye appeal. If desired, the portion of cover 32 under table section 18 may be used for momentarily resting equipment during the examination of a patient when the table section is in a raised position.

interposed between the pivoting table section and the frame of the table is a piston pump mechanism 34. The pump mechanism is comprised of a housing or cylinder portion 36 and a piston 38 which is connected through a rod 40 to table section 18. Rod 40 is pivotally connected at its upper or outer end to the under side of sheet 26 of section 18. The connection is made by means of bracket 42 aflixed as by screws to sheet 26 and carrying a pivot pin 44 extending through the upper end of the rod.

Cylinder 36 of the piston pump is pivotally mounted at its upper end to a portion of the frame which is spaced directly below the pivoting table section when the section is in the lowered position shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, secured to cover 32 of the frame is a retainer ring 46. The retainer ring has a pair of mount portions 48 spaced diametrically on opposite sides of the ring. Rotatably mounted in the mount portions are protrusions 50 integral with an end member 52 of housing 36. The rotatable connection permits the housing to pivot relative to the retaining ring. An aperture 54 accommodates rod 40 which extends through cover 32 to reach table section 18.

Housing 36 is provided with a pair of passages extending longitudinally within the housing, a cylindrical :3 piston bore 56 centrally in the housing, and an annular passage 58 arranged concentrically therewith. Walls 60 and 62, together with end members 52 and 64, define these passages. Piston 38 and rod 40 reciprocate in bore 56, with the end of rod 40 extending outwardly of the housing through an accommodating hole formed in member 52. Seals 66, 68, and 70 are included to prevent leaking of hydraulic fluid.

Interconnecting passages 56 and 58 at one of their ends are a number of ports or passages 72, radially spaced around cylindrical wall 60 at the upper end of the housing. The lower or base ends of passages 56, 53 are connected by flexible hose segments, or conduits 74 and 76. Hose 76 communicates with a bore 78 and passage 58, and hose 74 communicates with a bore 80 and passage 56. Conduits 74, 76 connect at their other ends with a conventional two-way valve 82 mounted in the frame of the table and having a handle 84 carried outwardly of the frame. Handle 84 may be turned to close the flow between the conduits 74, 76. Handle 84 may also be turned to open valve 82 and the connection between the two conduits. A conventional check valve 86 arranged as a bypass across valve 82 permits fluid to flow freely from conduit 76 to conduit 74, but shuts off the flow of fluid from conduit 74 to conduit 76, or in the other direction. Ports 7 2, conduits 74, 76, and valve 82 constitute fluid conduit means accommodating fluid exchange between the two ends of piston bore or passage 56.

In operating the herein-disclosed table, hydraulic fiuid is deposited Within annular passage 58, piston bore 56, i

and in the various conduits to fill completely the system. When table section 18 is pivoted upwardly and the piston pump extended, fluid is drawn up into the base end of piston bore 56 and a column of fluid builds up under piston 38. The fluid flows from the portion of bore 56 above the piston head through ports 72 into annular passage 58 and thence through conduits 76, 74 to the bottom of piston bore 56. Fluid flows from conduit 76 to conduit 74 either through check valve 86, or valve 82 if the valve is open. Closing of valve 82 prevents the table section from settling from its raised position.

The table is lowered merely by turning valve 82 to permit flow of fluid in a reverse direction from the base of piston bore 56 through conduits 74 and 76 to the upper end of the piston bore. only slightly, it is possible to permit the table to settle slowly without having a patient lift himself from the table. It will be apparent that fast, accurate table settings are possible with a minimum amount of discomfort to any occupant of the table.

As mentioned hereinabove, the piston pump extends through an aperture 54 in cover 32. In moving between raised and lowered positions, the piston pump swings about a horizontal axis coinciding with the axial center of protrusions 50. The piston pump is pivoted at its upper end to reduce to a minimum the space subtended by the piston pump along the plane of cover 32 when swinging between raised and lowered positions. In this manner, aperture 86 need not be very large, and the difficulties in cleaning the examining table are reduced.

It is recognized that modifications and variations in the parts and their arrangement from the specific embodiment illustrated are possible. It is desired not to be limited to the specific form of invention illustrated, but rather to cover all variations which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A medical examining table comprising a frame, table means mounted on said frame defining a support for a patient carried thereon, said table means having a table portion pivotable relative to said frame and adjustable between raised and lowered positions, and hydraulic positioning means interposed betwen said table portion and frame for fixing said table portion in selected positions In practice, by turning handle 82 of adjustment, said positioning means comprising a piston pump having a housing with a piston bore mounting the piston for the pump, said housing having a passage communicating with said bore for the supply of fluid thereto on actuation of the piston pump, and valve means for closing off said passage.

2. A medical examining table comprising a frame, table means mounted on said frame defining a support for a patient carried thereon, said table means having a table portion pivotable relative to said frame and adjustable between raised and lowered positions, and hydraulic positioning means interposed between said table portion and a portion of said frame for fixing said table portion in selected positions of adjustment, said positioning means comprising a piston pump having a housing pivoted to one of said portions, said housing having a piston bore and a passage communicating with said bore for the supply of fluid thereto on actuation of the piston pump, a piston and rod mounted for reciprocation in said piston bore, said rod being pivotally connected to the other of said portions, and valve means for closing off said passage.

3. A medical examining table comprising a frame, table means mounted on said frame defining a support for a patient carried thereon, said table means having a table portion pivotable relative to said frame and adjustable between raised and lowered positions, a piston pump comprising a housing and a piston and rod interposed between said table portion and frame, said housing having a piston bore mounting the piston for the pump and a pair of passages, one connected to each end of the piston bore, and fluid conduit means interconnecting said pair of passages accommodating fluid exchange between the two ends of the piston bore, said fluid conduit means having a valve for opening and closing the conduit means.

4. In a medical examining table a frame, a table portion mounted on an upper portion of said frame and pivotable relative thereto for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, an elongated piston pump comprising a housing and piston and rod interposed between said table portion and frame, said housing being pivotally connected at its upper end to a portion of said frame spaced adjacent said table portion when it occupies its lowered position, the outer end of said rod being pivotally connected to said table portion, said housing having a piston bore mounting the piston for the pump and a passage communicating with said bore for the supply of fluid thereto on actuation of the piston pump, and valve means for closing off said passage.

5. In a medical examining table a frame, a table portion mounted on an upper portion of said frame and pivotable relative thereto for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, an elongated piston pump comprising a housing and piston and rod interposed between said table portion and frame, said housing being pivotally connected at its upper end to a portion of said frame spaced adjacent said table portion when it occupies its lowered position, the outer end of said rod being pivotally connected to said table portion, said housing having a piston bore mounting the piston for the pump and a pair of passages, one connected to each end of the piston bore, and fluid conduit means interconnecting said pair of passages accommodating fluid exchange between the two ends of the piston bore, said fluid conduit means having a valve for opening and closing the conduit means.

6. In a medical examining table a frame, a table portion mounted on an upper portion of said frame and pivotable relative thereto for adjustment between raised and lowered positions, an elongated piston pump comprising a housing and piston and rod interposed between said table portion and frame, said housing being pivotally connected at its upper end to a portion of said frame spaced adjacent said table portion when it occupies its lowered position, the outer end of said rod being pivotally connected to said table portion, said housing having a piston bore mounting the piston for the pump and a pair of passages, one connected to each end of the piston bore, and fluid conduit means interconnecting said pair of passages accommodating fluid exchange between the two ends of the piston bore, said fluid conduit means having check valve means accommodating fluid flow in one direction between the two ends of said bore and a manually controlled valve mounted on said frame for regulating fluid flow in the other direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wyatt June 30, 1925 Bell Oct. 15, 1940 Froelich Mar. 23, 1943 Clachko Aug. 29, 1950 Spielberg Mar. 4, 1952 Shampaine Aug. 12, 1952 

